Police union in bid to halt firings

THE Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (Popcru) is calling for the labour court to rule that the firing of police officers with criminal convictions is unconstitutional.

The urgent application is expected to be heard in the Port Elizabeth Labour Court today and, experts say, could set a precedent, forcing police to halt the process.

Popcru will bring the application on behalf of three officers – all with previous convictions, including one for the theft of a hair-clip – with the goal of declaring them fit to remain in the police.

The union is also demanding that the process whereby a fitness board has been held be declared unconstitutional. Popcru lawyer Brin Brody confirmed yesterday that the dispute was a test case that could set a precedent for future disputes and assist thousands of officers. -